Effect of screen time on spine and preventive measures

Spine care in the digital age

Nowadays, our life has become completely digital. Mobiles and laptops have now become an integral part of our daily activities. Work, studies and social media are all done sitting in front of a screen. But, the habit of watching screens for long periods of time can be harmful for our spine. If we sit in a wrong posture, such as looking at a mobile with our neck bent or working bent over a laptop, it causes excessive pressure on the spine. In medical language it is called text neck. Let us know how excess screen time affects the spine and what are its possible disadvantages.

effect of bad posture

According to health experts, when we bend the neck while using mobile or laptop, it increases pressure on the spine. Tilting the head 40-60 degrees puts extra stress on the muscles of the neck and upper back. Doing this for a long time can cause stiffness in the neck, pain in the shoulders and back strain.

muscle imbalance

Due to continuous sitting work, many muscles of the body become weak, while some put excessive pressure on them. This imbalance affects the body’s natural structure, resulting in problems like back pain, hunched shoulders and poor posture.

Degenerative changes

The discs present in the spine act like cushions, which absorb shocks between the bones. Incorrect position and constant pressure can cause premature degeneration of these discs, leading to problems like slipped disc or back pain.

pressure on nerves

When the structure of the spinal cord is affected, it also affects the nerves, increasing the pressure on them. In this condition, tingling, numbness or weakness may be felt in the hands. Sometimes this pain can spread from the neck to the arms or from the waist to the legs, which is often associated with sciatica.

Impact on children and youth

Screen time among children is increasing rapidly due to online classes and gaming. If they sit in wrong positions at an early age, the risk of spine-related problems may increase in the future. Bone development can also be affected with increasing age.

preventive measures

– Keep the screen at eye level, so that the neck does not bend too much.

– Take breaks and stretching every 30-40 minutes during office or work.

– While sitting, keep your back straight and take support from the chair.

– Do yoga and back strengthening exercises daily.

– While using the mobile, raise it to eye level.